Smiley Riley, the dog with a human grin

Just like a happy youngster, birthday boy Riley wolfs down his cake and pulls a satisfied âdoggy-smileâ for the camera.

Thereâs a good boy: Riley grins for the camera as he celebrates his birthday.

It looks like manâs best friend â or at least a pampered poodle â has finally figured out how to make the human gesture of happiness.

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Riley the dog almost pulled off the illusion while sitting at the table, wearing a hat and celebrating his first birthday with a cake. In fact, owner Maureen Ravelo, 22, from San Jose, California, said Rileyâs face was so expressive that she frequently forgets he is a dog.

âRiley always makes faces like this, and thatâs the best part about him. He gives you a new facial expression every time that you forget heâs a dog,â she said. He can also affect a âsnobbishâ and a âcuriousâ look, she added.